Haryana Elections 2024 Highlights: EC bans release of exit polls for Haryana Assembly election until 6.30 pm

Ahead of the assembly elections in the state, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini held a roadshow in Ladwa on Wednesday, which was also attended by BJP MP Hema Malini.
Notably, Saini is himself a candidate from Ladwa assembly constituency.

He exuded confidence that BJP will return to power in Haryana for the third term. He also took a jibe at Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi for his 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan' slogan, and said the Congress leader has opened "Jhooth ki Dukaan."

Speaking to ANI, CM Saini said, "I am with everyone I am very thankful...The BJP government is coming to power in Haryana for the third time with a very big majority. Today, the scenario of the entire Haryana is in favour of the BJP, in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi... Rahul Gandhi has opened a shop of lies. He starts lying in the morning and continues lying till the evening. People have stopped believing him."

Earlier on Tuesday, the CM while addressing an election rally in Palwal, stated that Haryana will make history by electing a BJP government for a third consecutive term in the state.

Asking the people of Haryana not to fall for BJP's poll promises, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is an expert in telling lies and the BJP has failed to fulfil commitments made to voters in the past. At an election rally at Badhra in Haryana's Charkhi Dadri, Kharge targeted the BJP over several issues, including demands for debt waiver and legal guarantee on MSP from farmers, and claimed people have made up their mind to bring the Congress to power in the state, which goes to polls on Saturday.

"It is Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri's birth anniversary today. Mahatma Gandhi taught us truth and non-violence. I don't want to say this - how much truth and how much lies those in power speak," he said.

"Modi ji toh bharosa todne walo ka bhi sardar hai (Modi is the leader of those who break trust.) His numerous lies, promises, you know about them," he said in the presence of former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik.

Referring to Congress' poll promises in Haryana, Kharge said the party has given seven guarantees in its manifesto including Rs 2,000 per month for women and told Hooda, who was standing behind him, "You will have to keep my honour".

Congress has not named its chief ministerial candidate, but Hooda is a frontrunner for the post.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday cautioned that the population of Hindus and Adivasis in Jharkhand is declining and accused the JMM-led coalition government of engaging in dangerous "vote bank politics" by supporting infiltrators at the expense of the state's identity, culture, and heritage. He asserted that it was time to "throw such forces out" to protect "mati, beti, roti" (land, daughter, bread).

"The time is ripe for 'Parivartan' in Jharkhand to safeguard 'beti, mati, roti' and combat corruption. The JMM-led coalition is playing a dangerous game, jeopardising the identity, culture, and traditions of the people while patronising infiltrators," Modi said during the concluding programme of the BJP's Parivartan Yatra, which covered approximately 5,400 km across all 81 assembly segments.

Modi criticised the coalition for being insensitive, citing the deaths of several aspirants during recruitment drives for excise constables.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan in Jharkhand will benefit the tribal people of Jharkhand "greatly" as it aims to connect the "unconnected section of tribal population' with the government schemes. This scheme has been named after freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

"We have started celebrating Janjatiya Gaurav Divas on the birthday of Lord Birsa Munda... Lord Birsa Munda is called 'Dharti Aaba'. On his name Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan has started in today's time. This scheme aims to connect those tribal people with government schemes, who have not yet got the benefit of government schemes..." PM Modi said while addressing Parivartan Mahasabha in Hazaribagh.

PM Modi said, "Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, Mobile Medical Units, Electricity, Water, Solar Energy and other similar schemes will greatly benefit the people of Jharkhand. These schemes will bring a huge change in the lives of the tribal community here. They will get a chance to move forward."

The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan scheme with a total outlay of over Rs 79,150 crore.

PM Modi also lashed out at the Congress and accused it of ignoring the contribution of tribal community into the freedom struggle. In a veiled attack on Congress, he said that all the schemes in the country are in the name of the sons and daughters of "one family."

"In order to give recognition to one of its families, Congress erased the identity of tribal families living in every corner of the country. Congress never gave importance to the tribal community which made such a huge contribution in the freedom struggle. All the schemes are in the name of the sons and daughters of one family, all the roads, all the buildings are in the name of the sons and daughters of one family, such nepotism-oriented thinking has done a lot of harm to the country," PM Modi said.

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, ahead of the upcoming Haryana elections, criticised the BJP and Prime Minister Modi for ignoring the needs of soldiers and farmers, accusing the party of prioritising the RSS agenda over the welfare of citizens during a public rally on Wednesday.

He said, "I want to say that all our (Congress) Prime Ministers have always worked for the country... Shastriji sent such a message by saying 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan.' This is a Congress idea... The BJP doesn't understand farmers; they only know the RSS agenda. There are no farmers in the RSS or BJP, so they don't feel the farmers' pain and continue instilling fear in them. The BJP does not care about soldiers and farmers. That's why they don't understand the struggles of farmers... They only help Ambani-Adani, not the farmers."

"Manohar Lal Khattar, who was Chief Minister for 9 years, was replaced by Nayab Singh Saini because both engines of the 'double-engine government' failed... They had to change the CM because they did not fulfil their promises. People still remember the development work done by the Hooda government. We do what we say, but they never fulfil their promises", the congress President added.

Kharge also accused the BJP of dishonesty. He said, "This BJP is the head of liars, and Modi Sahab is an expert in lying."

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday asked the people of Haryana to oust the BJP in the October 5 assembly polls, saying this is a fight against the wicked, injustice and untruth. Gandhi addressed a public meeting in Haryana's Julana to campaign for her party's candidate from the constituency and Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat.

Attacking the BJP-led government in the state over employment, the Agniveer military recruitment scheme and farmers' welfare among other issues, Gandhi alleged that the ruling party "betrayed" people at every stage.

"The opportunity has come again, similar to the battle of Kurukshetra and the fight against the British rule. There is no difference," she said.

"Today, this is your fight against injustice, untruth and the wicked ("dushton"). You will have to stand up, you will have to look within yourself and see what is happening," Gandhi added.

Claiming that the Modi government only works for the benefit of a handful of industrialists, the Congress general secretary said the BJP-led Centre was unable to generate employment opportunities as it has given "everything to Ambani and Adani".

"All ports, land, industries, airports have been given to big industrialists," she added.

No employment opportunities can be created from small businesses and the farming sector today, Gandhi said.

...They have never allowed the tribals to progress. Therefore, to remain in power, these people are creating a new vote bank in Jharkhand. The game of vote bank is going on by sacrificing Jharkhand. How dangerous is this game of theirs... Santhal Pargana is living proof of this. The tribal population in Santhal Pargana is continuously decreasing, while the population of infiltrators is continuously increasing. The increasing population of infiltrators, the decreasing number of tribal society... all this is the result of JMM and Congress's hunger for power..."

"I guarantee that when the BJP government is formed in Jharkhand when the NDA government is formed in Jharkhand, the security of 'Roti, Beti, Maati' of Jharkhand will be ensured. I am saying it confidently today... As long as the BJP is there, no one can snatch away the reservation of SC, ST, or OBC. Reservation is safe only because of the BJP. The character of Congress is anti-Dalit, deprived and tribal. They made such policies and ran the government in such a way that SC, ST, and OBC people could not progress. That is why Congress has always opposed reservations for SC, ST, and OBC. Even today Congress is talking about ending reservations. By snatching the reservation of SC, ST, and OBC, Congress wants to give it to its special vote bank. The Parivartan Yatra that has been completed today will prove to be the beginning of a new dawn for Jharkhand. We have only one slogan – Roti, Beti and Maati. For this, we will bring about change in Jharkhand."

"It is Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri's birth anniversaries today. Mahatma Gandhi taught us truth and non-violence. I don't want to say this, but those in power how much truth and how much lies they speak," said Kharge addressing a poll rally at Badhra in Charkhi Dadri.

"Modi ji toh bharosa todne walo ka bhi sardar hai (Modi is the leader of those who break trust.) His numerous lies, promises, you know about it," he added in the presence of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik.

Kharge said Prime Minister Modi made so many promises during the past ten years "that there is no limit" to it.

"Before polls, he said after he is elected, he will put Rs 15 lakh in everyone's pocket," he said. "He (PM Modi) said the Congress people had stashed their black money in foreign shores and he (Modi) will bring it back and put Rs 15 lakh in everyone's pocket," he added.

The security has been tightened in Haryana ahead of the assembly election in Haryana, which is scheduled to happen on October 5. 225 paramilitary companies and 60,000 security personnel have been deployed for the elections, said an official.

According to DGP Haryana, 11,000 SPOs (Special Police Officers) are also stationed ahead of the elections.

Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapoor said that the highest amount of money was recovered in Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ambala in the state.

"Over 60 crore rupees have been recovered across Haryana. The Nuh area has been identified as highly sensitive. In Nuh, 13 paramilitary companies have been deployed," Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapoor said.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has prohibited the release of exit polls for the upcoming Assembly elections in Haryana. Under Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, exit polls and the dissemination of their results are banned from the start of voting until half an hour after the end of polling. The start of voting is counted from 7:00 am on September 18, 2024, as the elections for the Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir Assemblies were notified together. This ban will remain in effect until 6:30 pm on October 5, 2024, the day of polling.

Haryana's chief electoral officer, Pankaj Agarwal, announced measures to monitor the upcoming Assembly elections through webcasting at polling stations. During a video conference with officials, Agarwal reviewed election preparations and noted that the Election Commission of India will also supervise the process.

Haryana will hold Assembly elections on October 5 to elect 90 members, with vote counting set for October 8.

Agarwal emphasized that polling agents can only engage in authorized activities on election day. He warned of strict legal action for involvement in prohibited activities and mentioned that detailed guidelines have been issued.

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi while addressing a rally said, "There is everything for Adani, Ambani and billionaires....What is the meaning of Agniveer Yojana?... This scheme has only one aim - snatch away the money for pension, canteen, compensation that used to go the soldiers...The real name of this scheme should be Adani Yojana, its aim is to divert the defence budget of India which used to go into the training, pension, canteen for soldiers... that money should be put in Adani's pocket."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a sharp dig at Congress during a rally in Palwal, Haryana, accusing the party of double standards on national issues. Modi criticized Congress for promising to restore Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, while remaining silent on reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

"Congress says it will bring back Article 370, but never talks about bringing PoK back. Can a party that makes Pakistan happy make Haryana happy?" PM Modi questioned during his address.

The Prime Minister also targeted Congress over its stance on Minimum Support Price (MSP), accusing it of making "tall claims" about supporting farmers. “Today, Congress talks big about MSP, but when it was in power, it only gave MSP on 3-4 crops,” he said, contrasting it with his government’s broader support for farmers.

The rally comes as BJP aims to solidify its position in Haryana ahead of upcoming elections, with Modi emphasizing national security, development, and support for the agricultural sector as key priorities for his government.

Haryana elections: In Gohana, Sonipat, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, "...Narendra Modi has trapped them (shopkeepers) in a 'chakravyuh', just like in Mahabharat, when Abhimanyu was trapped here in Kurukshetra...How were they trapped? Through demonetisation, then GST, then 2-3 billionaires were given all the money of banks. If you ask them to get loans from banks, they will tell you that banks won't grant them loans. In India, today only Adani and Ambani can get loans..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Congress kept every issue important for the country entangled... Congress did not allow Ram temple to be built in Ayodhya. Congress did not allow the Constitution to be fully implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. They deprived our sisters of reservation in Parliament and Assembly. Congress kept our Muslim sisters entangled in the problem of triple talaq. Congress did not solve the problems of the country and its citizens but instead used all its energy to establish its own family."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Today the whole of Haryana has to take a pledge – all those who love India will remain united, we are one and we will vote unitedly for the country. We will unite and vote for the future of our children. We will unite and vote for the safety of our daughters. We will unite and vote for jobs without any expense slips. We will unite and vote for new investments, and new jobs in Haryana. We will unite and vote for good roads and better irrigation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Haryana has a track record that whichever government is in power at the Centre, the same government is formed in Haryana also. You formed the BJP government in Delhi for the third time, and now you people have decided to form the BJP government here in Haryana also for the third time."

"Today, there is BJP wave across villages and all around. Everywhere, one slogan is echoing - 'Bharosa Dil Se, BJP Phir Se'. Haryana has the track record of being with the party, which has government at the Centre," says PM Modi in Palwal.

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini says, "On the 5th, Article 370 was abolished by PM Modi and on the same 5th, the foundation stone of Ram Mandir was laid. Now once again 5th is coming. I assure you that on this 5th, Haryana will create history by forming a BJP government for the third time. I once again welcome you to the land of Haryana, congratulate you on behalf of the whole of Haryana..."

The ruling BJP's 'jumlas' won't work anymore as people have seen the reality of the promises they made in the past ten years, Congress' Ambala MP Varun Chaudhry said, expressing confidence that his party will register a resounding win in the Haryana polls. Chaudhry also said that unlike the BJP, the Congress has delivered on what it promised.

"The BJP's 'jumlas' (rhetoric) wont work anymore as people have seen the reality of their promises. Today, all sections of the society, including farmers, youth, women, workers, want to bring the Congress back to power and our party is set to register a resounding win in the polls," Chaudhry told PTI.

The Ambala MP's wife Pooja Chaudhry (38) is contesting the October 5 Assembly polls as a Congress candidate from Mulana reserve seat in Ambala district.

Of the total 10 candidates in the fray in Mulana, Pooja Chaudhry also faces BJP's Santosh Chauhan Sarwan, who had won the seat in 2014.

In 2019, Varun Chaudhry had won the Mulana assembly seat, but vacated it after he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Ambala reserve seat following which the Congress fielded Pooja from the seat.

The Mulana assembly constituency has remained a stronghold of Varun Chaudhry's family.

Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi holds a roadshow in Bahadurgarh

Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda is also present.

Brick thrown into the rear windshield of an SUV that was part of the cavalcade of Jannayak Janta Party leader Dushyant Chautala while he was campaigning in his constituency, Uchana Kalan, police said.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday evening when the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, as the cavalcade had paused during a roadshow.

Dushyant Chautala is contesting the October 5 Haryana polls in alliance with Chandra Shekhar Azad's Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram), and both leaders were campaigning together in Uchana

Former Deputy chief minister and JJP chief Dushyant Chautala's convoy was attacked during a roadshow in Uchana ahead of the state assembly elections on Monday night. Stones were thrown at the vehicle, and the police have registered a case. Election campaigning for Haryana's 15th legislative assembly ends on October 3 at 6 PM, after which public rallies and meetings are prohibited. The Election Commission has outlined strict guidelines, including bans on loudspeakers, campaign activities, and non-voter presence in constituencies. Voting for all 90 assembly seats will take place on October 5 from 7 AM to 6 PM.

Ahead of the assembly polls in Haryana, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Monday assured to restore the Old Pension Scheme in the State.

"We will re-implement the old pension scheme and for social security, and Rs 6000 every month will go into the bank accounts of widows, elderly people, and disabled people," Rahul Gandhi said while addressing a rally in Ambala.

He also said that farmers of Haryana will be given guaranteed MSP and that women in the Stae will be given Rs 2000 under the Mahila Shakti Yojana.

"Under the Mahila Shakti Yojana, Rs 2000 every month in the bank accounts of women will be deposited. LPG cylinders will be given for Rs 500," Gandhi said.

Further attacking the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, the Congress leader said, "This is not Modi ji's government. This is Adani's government. We don't want a government of people like Adani ji in Haryana. We want a government of farmers and the poor in Haryana..."

"Haryana government is the first step. There will be change here, but when the government comes in Delhi, I want to know how much money is going into the pockets of the poor and how much money is coming out of their pockets, and I am not going to leave this...All the small parties that are contesting polls in Haryana, are BJP's party. Their remote control is in their hands. The fight is between BJP and Congress. It is a fight of ideology. On one side there is justice, and on the other side there is injustice," Rahul added.

Earlier today, Congress MP Kumari Shelja said that she was sure Congress would win in Haryana.

"We are doing very well. We are confident we will win the Haryana elections. Wherever Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are going, the people and the party are getting new energy," Shelja said, speaking to the media persons.

Haryana will go to the polls on October 5 to elect its 90-member state legislative assembly, with counting set to take place on October 8. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party, securing 40 seats, while Congress won 30 seats.

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ion Monday will address multiple election rallies in support of BJP candidate, Dhami is confident that Haryana will elect a BJP government for the third consecutive term.

Speaking to ANI Dhami said, "Double engine government will be formed in Haryana again. A government that will run under the guidance of PM Modi will be formed because the people of Haryana have seen the BJP government in the last 10 years, and how it has worked in every field, be it development, transparency, recruitment, work for women, farmers, youth, sportspersons... The Congress government before 2014, trapped the whole of Haryana in the quagmire of corruption. The entire Haryana government was run from Delhi at the behest of one family, so the people will not let that situation come again in Haryana at any cost and will again form a double-engine government of BJP in Haryana. People will vote in large numbers on 5 October and will elect a new government..."

Dhami attacked the Congress alleging that the Congress has left no stone unturned to loot Haryana. He said under prime minister Narendra Modi's rule, Haryana has a 'vision 'and 'mission'.

"During Congress regime in the state, people's land was grabbed and black business of transfers and postings started. In poll bound Haryana, elections will be fought on two ideologies, one which is based on patriotism and development and other based on Corruption and nepotism. Historic development is being seen in Haryana since 2014. For farmers 'interest, MSP on fourteen crops has been enhanced. After the formation of BJP government in the state, MSP on foutteen crops will be enhanced. The work of preserving the cultural heritage of Haryana is also being undertaken," he said.

"The Congress just talks of corruption wherever it is in power and things like Ram Mandir are just a fig of imagination for them. The Hindus do not have freedom to celebrate festivals in Congress ruled states and the party had even hijacked the Ganesh Chathurthi festival also," he added.

The Haryana Assembly eelections are on October 5 and the results will be declared on October 8.

Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday attacked the central government over the Agnipath scheme and said that Agniveers "should not be in misconception" as the government "intends" to "snatch away pensions from Agniveers.

"Normal Jawan will be entitled to pension for all his life... but those with Agniveer tag will not get pension...which means money has been snatched from Agniveer's pocket...it has gone to Adani's pocket. Agniveer has been rolled out to help Adani. Agniveer's truth is that Narendra Modiji wants to snatch pensions," said the LoP, who led the party's "Vijay Sankalp Yatra" in Ambala.

He further said that whatever Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing is just for the rich people.

"PM Modi himself said that he is non-biological and has a direct connection with God...He says that whatever God asks him to do, he does it...We don't understand how God asks him to help Adani only...Whatever Modi ji is doing is only for the rich people," he added.

He also said that farmers of Haryana will be given guaranteed MSP and that women in the state will be given Rs 2000 under the Mahila Shakti Yojana.

"When Congress comes to power in Haryana, the first thing that we will do is, we will give minimum support price (MSP) to the farmers...We will give Rs 2000 to every poor woman...We will work towards giving jobs to two lakh youths in Haryana Governmnet and these jobs will be given to every caste and section of society equally...We will also do a Caste Census in the state," Rahul Gandhi said.

The leader of opposition said that the fight is between Congress and BJP in the Haryana elections.

"In this elections, the fight is between Congress and BJP. Vote for the Congress party and make them win in the elections," he added.

Haryana will go to the polls on October 5 to elect its 90-member state legislative assembly, with counting set to take place on October 8.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party, securing 40 seats, while Congress won 30 seats.

Targeting Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's visit to poll-bound Haryana, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Monday that they are like tourists who keep roaming around.

Pradhan also alleged that the Congress leaders are afraid that the Bharatiya Janata Party comes to power again in the state, the wealth that Rahul's brother-in-law (Robert Vadra) has looted will be exposed.

"Let them campaign for their party, they keep roaming around, they are like tourists. I think they are scared that if BJP comes to power for the third time, the wealth that his brother-in-law looted from the farmers of Haryana will be exposed. People of Haryana have faith in PM Modi and Nayab Singh Saini will become CM again," Dharmendra Pradhan said.

Meanwhile, Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday attacked the central government over the Agnipath scheme and said that Agniveers "should not be in misconception" as the government "intends" to "snatch away pensions from Agniveers.

"Normal Jawan will be entitled to pension for all his life... but those with Agniveer tag will not get pension...which means money has been snatched from Agniveer's pocket...it has gone to Adani's pocket. Agniveer has been rolled out to help Adani. Agniveer's truth is that Narendra Modiji wants to snatch pensions," said the LoP, who led the party's "Vijay Sankalp Yatra" in Ambala.

Gandhi said that the fight is between Congress and BJP in the Haryana elections.

"In this elections, the fight is between Congress and BJP. Vote for the Congress party and make them win in the elections," he said.

Haryana will go to the polls on October 5 to elect its 90-member state legislative assembly, with counting set to take place on October 8.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party, securing 40 seats, while Congress won 30 seats.

During a roadshow for the upcoming Haryana elections, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi urged people of the state to cast their votes in favour of her party on Monday, promising better public services in the state.
She said, "There is one man who can provide free electricity for 24 hours. His name is Arvind Kejriwal. There is only one man who can make government schools better than private schools. There is only one man who can provide good roads to you; his name is Arvind Kejriwal... On October 5, press the 'Jhaadu'."

Atishi claimed that the public infrastructure in Haryana is in a dilapidated state and that only Arvind Kejriwal can resolve the issues affecting the state. "I was informed that the state government hospitals are broken and in bad condition. The roads are battered, and there are long power cuts." She further insisted that Arvind Kejriwal could bring solutions to Haryana, claiming, "When your son provides good government schools, free electricity, and good hospitals in Delhi, can't he provide the same for Haryana?"

She urged voters to support AAP, saying, "If you want good schools, want 24 hours of electricity, and want it for the elderly, press the broom button," while calling for a strong turnout on election day.

"If you cast your vote on October 5, you will press 500 buttons. We have to make it with gratitude; we are ready," she added.

Meanwhile, AAP MP Raghav Chadha also addressed supporters in Bhiwani. The AAP leader said, "People of Haryana play the game of 'Congress or BJP' and 'BJP or Congress' every election. Now, political parties and the people of Haryana are tired of this. There is now a new option--the Aam Aadmi Party. Choose that and see."

Haryana goes to the polls on October 5 to elect a 90-member state legislative assembly to form its next government, with the counting set to take place on October 8.